Man arrested after woman injured in Phuket robbery attempt

Police arrested a 31-year-old man less than 17 hours after a 23-year-old woman was struck on the head during an alleged robbery attempt in Wichit, Phuket, police said.

The attack occurred at about 2:50am on 1 November 2026 on Mueang Chao Fa Road in Moo 4, near the Phuket Campus of Prince of Songkla University. Police said the woman, identified as Anchisa Chongmun, was riding home from work when the man emerged from roadside grass, blocked her motorcycle and hit her once with a piece of wood described as a “wooden club”.

Anchisa suffered a head wound requiring two stitches at Vachira Phuket Hospital. Despite her injury, she escaped on her motorcycle and sought help at a nearby 7-Eleven before filing a complaint with Wichit Police.

Investigators examined CCTV footage and arrested Chawalit Singlor, 31, from Surin, at a house in Kathu at about 7:30pm the same day. Officers also seized a Phuket-registered Honda Zoomer-X motorcycle believed to have been used in the incident.

Police said Chawalit confessed during preliminary questioning and told investigators he had waited in the grass near a bend before attempting to stop the woman and steal her belongings. He allegedly said he fled when she escaped and that he needed more than B7,000 to pay premiums on a life insurance policy.

Police also reported that Chawalit had previously served a prison sentence for drug-related offences in northeastern Thailand. Investigators are continuing to search for the alleged weapon and examine whether he may be linked to similar incidents in Phuket or neighbouring areas. Legal proceedings are continuing.